Obituary for Andrew "Andy" Scott McKinney
Andrew (Andy) Scott McKinney of South Burlington, Vermont passed away on April 25th, 2022. He was outside at the Respite House with his wife and friend by his side and the spring breeze blowing across his face. In true Andy style he enjoyed every day to the very end. In the weeks before his passing he had an adventure in Mexico with his family and an epic 43rd birthday party where he was surrounded by family, friends, and good food.
His parents, Elizabeth and James McKinney, nurtured his love of the outdoors from the beginning. Andy grew up in Niskayuna, NY spending his childhood summers sailing on Lake George along with hiking, biking, and canoe adventures. His winters were spent skiing. His love of the outdoors, along with his patient and determined disposition, led him to become an Eagle Scout and learn to windsurf in the light and gusty winds of the north east. Andy graduated from The University of Vermont in 2001 with The Charles G. Doll award for the most outstanding senior in the Geology department.
Andy shared his stoke for life with everyone lucky enough to cross his path; making countless lifelong friends around the world. Andy met his wife, Anne in Jericho, Vermont at a home filled with friends and dogs. They had a marriage full of laughter, love, and adventure. Andy opened his own windsurfing shop, Wind-NC in Avon, NC and the family business was complete when Andy and Anne became parents to Catherine and Matthew. As a father, Andy shared his passion for outdoor sports with his children taking them sailing on Lake George, camping, hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, and skiing.
Andy had a positivity and kindness that was like no other. He woke up expecting the best each day. Andy would calmly windsurf into a raging ocean or the most challenging situations in life with both the acceptance of what may happen and a belief in the best possible outcome. He will be missed terribly, but he will always be here to remind us to get out and make the most of each day.
Andy is survived by his wife Anne McKinney; children Catherine (10) and Matthew (7) McKinney; parents Elizabeth and James McKinney; brother James McKinney and his wife Pauline; a large and very loving extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews; as well as many friends he considered family.
Andy’s family is so grateful for the kindness and support from friends, family, neighbors, and medical professionals over the last year.
There will be a private celebration of life for the immediate family in the coming week. This summer there will be a larger outdoor gathering where we hope to have a wonderful family watersports day filled with laughter, love, and good food.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Andy’s name to one of the following organizations: Mahana Magic, https://www.mahanamagic.org/ Camp Kesem https://donate.kesem.org/event/camp-kesem-at-the-university-of-vermont-make-the-magic-fy-2022/e397927 or Sail Beyond Cancer https://www.sailbeyondcancer.org/. Our family was supported by all of these organizations this last year and they truly understand the impact cancer has on the entire family.
His parents, Elizabeth and James McKinney, nurtured his love of the outdoors from the beginning. Andy grew up in Niskayuna, NY spending his childhood summers sailing on Lake George along with hiking, biking, and canoe adventures. His winters were spent skiing. His love of the outdoors, along with his patient and determined disposition, led him to become an Eagle Scout and learn to windsurf in the light and gusty winds of the north east. Andy graduated from The University of Vermont in 2001 with The Charles G. Doll award for the most outstanding senior in the Geology department.
Andy shared his stoke for life with everyone lucky enough to cross his path; making countless lifelong friends around the world. Andy met his wife, Anne in Jericho, Vermont at a home filled with friends and dogs. They had a marriage full of laughter, love, and adventure. Andy opened his own windsurfing shop, Wind-NC in Avon, NC and the family business was complete when Andy and Anne became parents to Catherine and Matthew. As a father, Andy shared his passion for outdoor sports with his children taking them sailing on Lake George, camping, hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, and skiing.
Andy had a positivity and kindness that was like no other. He woke up expecting the best each day. Andy would calmly windsurf into a raging ocean or the most challenging situations in life with both the acceptance of what may happen and a belief in the best possible outcome. He will be missed terribly, but he will always be here to remind us to get out and make the most of each day.
Andy is survived by his wife Anne McKinney; children Catherine (10) and Matthew (7) McKinney; parents Elizabeth and James McKinney; brother James McKinney and his wife Pauline; a large and very loving extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews; as well as many friends he considered family.
Andy’s family is so grateful for the kindness and support from friends, family, neighbors, and medical professionals over the last year.
There will be a private celebration of life for the immediate family in the coming week. This summer there will be a larger outdoor gathering where we hope to have a wonderful family watersports day filled with laughter, love, and good food.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Andy’s name to one of the following organizations: Mahana Magic, https://www.mahanamagic.org/ Camp Kesem https://donate.kesem.org/event/camp-kesem-at-the-university-of-vermont-make-the-magic-fy-2022/e397927 or Sail Beyond Cancer https://www.sailbeyondcancer.org/. Our family was supported by all of these organizations this last year and they truly understand the impact cancer has on the entire family.